PUPILS at a school, which was almost destroyed by arsonists, were yesterday given the chance to show a very special visitor around their temporary classrooms.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in the region to visit his Sedgefield constituency, popped in to see how the youngsters at Middleton St George Primary School had been managing since fire ripped through their classrooms in March.

The roof of the village school, near Darlington, was badly damaged by the fire and a number of classrooms burnt out.

But the blaze failed to disrupt the youngsters' lessons.

While workers went in to carry out essential repairs and put up temporary buildings to be used as classrooms, the pupils and teachers moved to the old Firthmoor Primary School building, in Darlington.

The Firthmoor school, which had been boarded up, was reopened to house them until after the Easter break.

Meanwhile, Darlington Borough Council decided not to carry out extensive refurbishment on the fire-damaged building as plans are under way to build a new school in the village.

Last month, the teachers and pupils returned to Middleton St George and yesterday they showed Mr Blair around the temporary classrooms and hall they are using alongside the fire-damaged school.

New headteacher Janine Gleeson said: "The staff and the children did not know Mr Blair was coming until just before he arrived.

"They were so excited that the most famous man in the country was coming to see them, and some of the younger ones couldn't believe the man they had seen on the television was at their school.

"He was very charismatic and lovely. He made a point of talking to everyone.

"It was nice that he wanted to come and meet us and see for himself how we have coped since the fire."

Infant and junior pupils entertained Mr Blair with a rendition of He's got the whole world in His hands, before taking part in a question and answer session.

They questioned him on subjects as diverse as the war in Iraq and his choice of car.

Mr Blair was visiting the village in County Durham close to his constituency home to open a social services call centre.

He took a tour of Social Care Direct, a new contact centre introduced by Durham County Council.

One number, 0845 8505010, is now the only one that is needed for all social services inquiries and was established after consultation with the public.

Mr Blair said: "These requirements were brought together in commissioning this superb facility that serves over half a million residents throughout the county."

Earlier, Mr Blair visited Ferryhill, where he met youngsters and played pool at the official opening of the town's youth caf.

He also spoke to others who were designing a local website.

At the opening of the e-caf, he said he hoped its facilities would help reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.

The caf, opened in a former electrical store, was established in response to requests from more than 600 young people in a town appraisal scheme.

Youngsters worked with Ferryhill Town Council to create the caf, which includes a pool room, IT suite and outside recreation area.

Mr Blair also unveiled a fountain outside Ferryhill Town Hall.

It was paid for with money from the Lottery Awards for All scheme and designed by 15-year-old schoolboy Stephen Lamb.

The Prime Minister also went on a walkabout in Ferryhill Market Place